Charity scoops top prize

Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland (SBH Scotland), has been chosen as disability charity of the year by the Scottish public at Scotland’s first Charity Champions Awards.

The public voted in their thousands for winners, SBH Scotland, and the final decisions were made by a panel of judges who researched and read statements provided by the charities.

The new awards, set up to recognise and reward the country’s charitable sector, announced the winners at the Radisson Blu Hotel during a glitzy ceremony.

Supported by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, the event has received a “huge response in its first year”, according to awards founder Warren Paul.

The disability charity award considered all charities that work with children or adults facing disability affecting health, wellbeing and everyday life.

Deborah Roe, fundraising director at SBH Scotland, said: “We’re honoured to have been chosen as the disability charity champion, especially as we’re also celebrating the 50th year of SBH Scotland. We started in 1965 as a network of support for all those families needing more information about their children’s complex conditions. Now 50 years on that network is run by specialist staff offering a helpline, groups, projects, training, clinics and support to over 3,500 children, young people and adults across Scotland.”